Artwork

Title Page to History of the Defenders of theCatholic Faith, by Christopher Lever

Title Page to History of the Defenders of theCatholic Faith, by Christopher Lever is an ink print by the Baroque artist Frederik van Hulsen. It dates from 1627 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Frederik van Hulsen’s 1627 engraving serves as the title page for Christopher Lever’s work, History of the Defenders of the Catholic Faith. The composition features a prominent heading framed by an ornamental border, with a lion and a unicorn positioned on either side of the central text.

Subject & Meaning

The lion and unicorn, traditional heraldic symbols, flank the phrase “Defenders of the Catholic Faith,” underscoring the work’s religious and defensive connotations. Their placement reinforces the notion of steadfast guardianship of Catholic doctrine during a period of confessional conflict.

Technique & Style

Executed in a Baroque idiom, the print relies on fine cross‑hatching to generate tonal depth and a somber atmosphere. Sharp, intersecting lines produce pronounced shadows, lending the image a weighty, serious character typical of early‑17th‑century engravings.

History & Provenance

Created in 1627, the engraving was commissioned to introduce Lever’s historical narrative. It reflects van Hulsen’s activity as a printmaker in the Dutch Republic, where he contributed to religious publications during the Counter‑Reformation era.

Context

The title page appears within a broader tradition of illustrated religious texts that employed emblematic animals to convey theological messages. Its visual language aligns with contemporary Baroque print culture, which favored dramatic chiaroscuro and elaborate ornamental framing.